Even those allergic to musicals may be won over by Once, a tender-hearted Irish romance with songs by Czech Republic-born Markta Irglov and Frames frontman Glen Hansard. (The film's director, John Carney, actually used to play bass in the group.) The trick here is that Irglov and Hansard also play the leads; because their characters are shown busking, writing music, or rehearsing, the songs are smoothly integrated in the film. The overall acoustic mood won't surprise fans of the Frames--some tracks ("Say It to Me," "When Your Mind's Made Up") have even popped up on the band's albums, though the arrangements are more pared-down here, befitting the scruffy, street-musician setting. Being the lesser-known entity, Irglov feels like a revelation; she sounds a bit like a folkie Bjrk on "If You Want Me," and her song "The Hill" is downright heartbreaking. Irglov and Hansard had already made the 2006 album The Swell Seasontogether, so their collaboration here feels really organic--they sound particularly good together on the title track, for instance. Now that's the kind of magic you want from musicals. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
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Absolutely one of my best purchases. After seeing the movie "Once", the sound track reminds me of how wonderful it was. Pure, sweet and hauntingly lyrical. A great buy!
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5.00/5
From:
Amazon
Posted:Jul 15, 2008Type:User Review
You won't be able to get enough...
The movie was good, but if you haven't seen it or have no desire to the soundtrack stands on its own.
It is my understanding that the song "Falling Slowly" has become the anthem, but in my opinion it belongs to "If You Want Me"....
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Despite having enjoyed 'The Committments' lo those many years ago, I had little interest in this film or its music. Until, of course, I broke down and watched it under duress, and was thrown into a bewilderment of emotions I could not have...
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5.00/5
From:
Amazon
Posted:Jun 30, 2008Type:User Review
ONCE the best soundtrack ever!
Like the movie , this soundtrack is full of beautiful and emotional songs from Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, two of the most talented singers- songwriters. The movie is also brilliant, 5 stars on both.
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